Chapter 28
As predicted. I had another lousy night’s sleep. After Leia’s text yesterday, I was worried that she was more upset than she was letting on. She said we needed to talk, which I was pretty sure was universal for breaking up, but I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Since my mind could be my worst enemy, I called for reinforcements—Ty.
“Thank you for coming here.” I blurted as I opened the door to see Ty and David standing there with coffee and sad smiles. “I’m sorry to call you over here so urgently, but I’m losing my mind.”
They followed me inside, and I shut the door behind us.
“Slow down. What’s going on? You didn’t give me enough information to formulate a strategy. All you said was Leia wanted to break up, and you needed to fix it. What happened?” Ty tried to calm me down, but it was David’s embrace that finally slowed my racing heart.
I pulled out my phone to show him her text. “Look.”
“Well, what did she say when you called her?” Ty questioned, and I was confused.
“What? I didn’t call her?”
He sighed heavily. “You’re concerned she wants to break up, and you don’t call her?”
“No! She said she wanted to talk today. I didn’t want to put her on the spot. But now I’m freaking out. I can’t let her dump me. I love her. Like so much my body aches when she’s away from me.”
“Okay, okay. Is there anything that would cause her to want to break up? What she wants to talk about might not have anything to do with the relationship. David, the voice of reason, stepped in, but Ty quickly cut him off.
“It’s probably the marriage thing. She did seem a little off after that comment.”
I didn’t want him to say that because that was already my fear. But he was probably right. “Well, I can’t take it back now. What should I do?”
“Talk to her about it and explain your reasons. I’m sure she’ll?—”
Again, Ty couldn’t let him finish. “What you need is a grand gesture!” He jumped in, and I looked at David, who shrugged.
“What do you mean?” I wasn’t opposed to doing something for her. I loved her, and she needed to know how serious I was.
“You need to go all out. Shower her with love. Rom-com style.” His eyes were darting back and forth like he was searching for answers.
“I still believe that having an honest discussion—” Poor David was ignored like Charlie Brown’s teacher.
“A scavenger hunt!” Ty shouted as proud as a peacock.
I stared at him disbelievingly. “A scavenger hunt? Why would I do that?”
“Why wouldn’t you do that? Anyone would be impressed with a scavenger hunt. Putting clues all over New York only to have her end up with you as the prize. That’s genius!”
“Okay. Hold on.” I rubbed my temples trying to push the idea out of my brain. “I got it!” Now I sounded like Ty.
“You have what? I gave you a golden idea. You didn’t need to come up with anything.” He crossed his arms defiantly.
“Well, your idea might have been golden, but mine is platinum.” I beamed.
“What does that mean?”
“What if I do a scavenger hunt, but the prize is… me?”
“Do you hear yourself? I literally said you were the prize.”
“No, you simpleton. I mean, the prize is me asking her to marry me. Like she gets me forever.”
“Yes!” he said excitedly. “Why didn’t I think of that?” Ty and I jumped up and down like we had won the lottery.
“Blake, is this a little rash? Didn’t you say the idea of marriage triggered you?” David came in with his logic, bringing our excitement down a notch.
“You’re right. But there is nothing I fear more than losing Leia, and marriage didn’t seem so scary if it was to her.” And a smile played across my face at the thought of waking up next to her for the rest of our lives.
“Before, I viewed it as a contract because that was how I grew up. You only got married if it was mutually beneficial for you. And the thought of that made me sick. It was transactional and had nothing to do with commitment.” I shook my head, thinking about my parents. “But just because that’s all I’ve seen, doesn’t mean that’s how my marriage has to be.”
“When you think about being married, what does your heart tell you?” David asked earnestly.
“I’ve never thought about marriage until now, but when I picture my life, she’s always in it, and that makes my heart dance. I don’t need to marry her to know she’s my person and I won’t be with anyone else. The difference is, I want to marry her because she’s my person. We’ve been together for many lives over, and I want the same in this life. Is that a ridiculous fantasy?”
Ty and David stood there with tears in their eyes, and I couldn’t help but join them.
“So you’re sure? This is what you want?” David wrapped his arms around me and Ty, making it a group hug.
“I have zero doubts.”
“How can we help?” Ty questioned.
“Well, I’ll start writing clues and then you give them to the places?”
“Sounds good. We’ll split it up to make it go faster,” David responded.
“Yeah, but don’t send her too many places, or you’ll be waiting a long time before she shows up.”
“Good point. I can’t believe I’m going to do this,” I squealed. “Oh my god. I need to get a ring.”
“You’re fine. Text Leia and see what time she’s coming over. Then we can figure out if we have time to do it all.” Ty handed me my phone.
“You’re so smart, buddy.” I shot off a message, but the response I got back wasn’t what I had hoped for. “She said she can’t make it today, but she loves me and will talk to me tomorrow.”
“Oh, babe. Do you think it’s a sign not to do this?” Normally, I would have agreed with Ty’s words, but why would she say she loved me if she was breaking up with me?
“No. Something probably came up, and we will talk about it tomorrow. After the scavenger hunt.” I smiled and kept my positivity high. It was so unusual for me to be this hopeful, but Leia brought out the optimist in me.
“Okay, girl. Let’s get started, and at least you have a little more time now.” Look at Ty being all optimistic.
This was the sign. She was giving us the time we needed to make this proposal perfect!
Monday morning was here. Who would have thought, but last night, I slept better than ever. I was lighter and ready to talk to Leia and sweep her off her feet.
Ty and David delivered all the cards yesterday except the first one. I called Tom to inform him I would take a personal day today, and he was more than happy for me. He said I worked too hard, and with my billables as high as they were, I should expect a bonus come the end of the quarter.
Everything was coming up roses for me, and I couldn’t explain it. For once, it seemed like I was living my life the way I was supposed to, and I was excited for what was to come.
My heart was frantic inside my chest. It was getting closer to the time, and my anxiety was in overdrive. I was holding the little blue box with the channel-set baguette diamond ring. When I saw it yesterday, it called out to me. It was sleek but sexy, like Leia, and I hoped she would love it as much as I did. I’d never been this nervous or excited in my entire life.
After getting dressed, I got a text from Ty.
Ty: The eagle has landed.
Me: WTF?
Ty: I was trying to be stealthy. You ruin all my fun. I dropped off the first note, and I’d say you have a good hour before she finds you.
Me: This is a good idea, right?
Why did I have to be so neurotic?
Ty: Of course it is. Besides, it’s too late now.
That didn’t ease my fears, but he was right.
Me: What if she says no?
Ty: What happened to Upbeat Blake? Stop putting negative energy into the universe.
Me: I’m preparing myself. If she says no, I won’t ever recover.
Ty: She’s not going to say no. She loves you, and you’re the most amazing person. She’s lucky to have you in her life.
Me: Thanks, Ty. Did David tell you what to write? HAHA.
Ty: I can be sweet, too. But, yes, he is next to me.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I loved them both so much; regardless of who said what, I was doing better.
Me: Thank you, both. I’ll tell you how it goes.
Ty: We don’t need all the dirty deets. The highlights will suffice!
I shook my head as I laughed.
Me: If you don’t hear from me tonight, it’s good news!
I put my phone away and took some grounding breaths. This was it. There was no turning back, and even though I was nervous, I knew I didn’t want to. My future was Leia, and all I wanted to do was move forward—with her.